Whakarewarewa

Keeping traditional Maori villages, arts and culture alive

Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley incorporates a living, breathing Maori village that relies on geothermal power for the ease of everyday living.

Unlike anywhere else in New Zealand - or the world, for that matter - the village's homes, shops, restaurants, graveyard and kindergarten are surrounded by a geothermal landscape of boiling mud pools and steaming pavements.

With respect for the land always utmost in their minds, the people of the village have made living within the geothermal wonderland of Whakarewarewa a success.

Throughout the day, local residents act as village guides, providing a tour with a difference - from relaying village stories, to cooking meals (try corn boiled to perfection in the bubbling champagne pool) and using the natural landscape for bathing, washing clothes and predicting weather patterns.

Each evening at 5pm, when the village closes to the public, residents continue on with cooking, cleaning and everyday life - until 9am the following morning when, once again, the village's doors open to visitors.

Set within the Valley is Te Puia; an arts and crafts facility developed to ensure the traditions of indigenous arts - such as carving and weaving - are maintained for future generations.

Te Puia provides a number of exhibition spaces, live demonstrations and regular guided tours throughout the day.

Here, you can explore silica terraces, bubbling mud pools and unique geothermal vegetation; view the world-famous Pohutu Geyser, feeling the vibrations through the ground as it gets ready to blow.

And that is just the beginning of what is on offer in this fantastic geothermal valley - an awesome display of Mother Nature’s beauty and dramatic flair.